Container



June s, 1943.

H. F. cox, JR., ETAL cNTAINER Filed July 19, 1941 2 sheets-sheet 1 l l INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Jun 8, 1943.

H. F. cox, JR., vsr AL 2,321,011

CONTAINER Filed July 19, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 8, 1943 .i

Hillside, N. J., assignors to American Can Sompany, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New 'Jersey Application July 19, 1941, Serial N0. 403,228

3 Claims. (229-7) This invention relates to fibre containers for the packaging and delivery of liquids, such as milk, fruit juices or the like and has particular reference to an auxiliary can top or cover which surrounds a filling opening and which opening is sealed by a hinged plug closure.

In certain respects, the invention constitutes an improvement upon the container illustrated and described in the John M. Hothersall United States Patent #2,085,979, issued July 6, 1937, and is especially an improvement on a removable auxiliary cover which protects the can top bordering the dispensing opening and Amaintains itin a, sterile condition. f

The invention contemplates a leakproof container which comprises a, tubular body substantially square and uniform in cross-section, having top and bottom end members secured to the body by interfolded marginal portions constituting end seam joints, the parts being permanently united by a suitable adhesive and the container being coated with parafiin or other suitable material to produce a leakproof container, the top end having an opening for filling and dispensing purposes and a protective cover or shield which is placed upon a portion of the end in the region of the 4opening during manufacture of the container while the parts are in sterile condition to keep the cover surface in such condition until thecontainer is opened, whereupon removal of the shield uncovers a sanitary top end surface over which the container contents may be poured.

An object of the invention is the provision of a ilat top liquid proof fibre container wherein a removable auxiliary cover or shield having an opening therein is placed upon a can top to border upon and preserve the sterile condition of the region surrounding the lling opening in the top from the time of its manufacture .until the contents are used, the container after filling being 40 sealed by a hinge plug closure which is insertable within the couver and top openings, the auxiliary shield being so arranged that it is uncovered for the rst time when the container is opened by 1ifting the shield and the plug closure to make 45 effective a pouring opening and to expose the sterile surface over whichrsurface the contents may be poured as' dischargedfrom the pouring 1 opening.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a container having a. closure of the character ,described of a lremovable auxiliary cover which is substantially triangular inoutline and which A extends diagonally across the container being Vinterposea between the container top andthe hmgable closure to cover the surface regionsurrounding the filling and dispensing opening, the shield being secured along the' marginal edge of the container by a U-shaped metal band, the cover having a finger tab disposed at the container corner which isadapted to lift the protective cover together with `the plug closure upon 'opening the container, such removed protective cover also re-- moving dirt or other undesirable matter from the can top and preventing it from coming in contact with the pouring surface surrounding the opening. v v

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better under stood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof. x

Referring tothe drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of 'a filled and isealed container embodying the present invention; l

Fig. .2 is an enlarged fragmentary view 'in section of a filled container illustrated in Fig. l, as viewed along the line 2-'2 in that figure and showing the protective cover or shield secured to the upper part of the container and bordering` upon the region of the illling opening. just prior fto the container being closed and sealed;Y

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a sealed container in the act ofbeing opened;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the protective cover or shield ;v Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing an alternative form f protective cover; l

Fig. 6 is a. view similar to Fig. 2 of the container shown in Fig. 5 as viewed along the line 6--6 in that figure; and v Fig-7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but of the container cover and plug'closure of Fig. 5 and showa removable auxiliary cover or shield for protecting the surface region of the top of the contain'er which surrounds the pouring opening in a. container of the type described in detail in the Hothersall patent hereinbefore mentioned. The y container briefly comprises a substantially rectangular body il'closed at its ends' with suitable top kand bottom end members. These end members aresimilaxr-jand for the purpe of this inv vention only the top end member need be illustrated. The numeral I2 designates such a top end member.`

The container body II preferably is formed from a single sheet of fibrous material which is folded at right angles to provide four side walls,I

these side walls being designated by the numeral I3 (Fig. 1). The edges of the sheet are joined by a lapped seam I4 which extends longitudinally of the body on one of the lside walls I3.

Such a seam extends up and over the top bent portions of the container, as illustrated in Figs. l and 5 of the drawings and has an extended portion over the top end I2. This lapped side seam -joint is secured' together by a suitable adhesive to make the joint leakproof.

The end members preferably are square and are formed from the same fibrous material as the body of such a container. Figs. 2, 3, 6 and '1 show how the paneled top end I2 provides a substantially ush top and how it is interlocked with the adjacent end or marginal portions of the body. For this purpose the marginal edges at the upper end of the body are bent inwardly as at I5 and thenoutwardly as at I6 to produce a horizontal seat or ledge I1 'which extends circumferentially of the body and upon which the top en d I2 is-supported. The extreme edges of the marginal body portionsbeyond the ledge I1 'are bent upwardly and inwardly over the outer marginal edges of the top end, thus providing opposite end the contai-ner top I2 and the assembling of the band 31 after the angular edges are folded upon the end seam preferably is performed on the completed container. This is done while the container is in a sterile condition in the course of its manufacture to preserve the sterility of the region surrounding the pouring opening during subsequent operations and handling of the container until its final opening by a ultimate consumer.

The hinge plug closure 24 is inserted ln the opening 23 of the top end I2 and in the opening 28 in the protective cover 21 to temporarily seal the completed container. This usually is done at the container manufacturers plant after which the containers are shipped by sanitary .means to dairies for nlling. In filling such a container, the plug closure 24 need only to be swung back to uncover the filling openings 23 and 28,

'I'he top end I2 is provided with a dispensing opening A23 (Figs. 2, 3, 6 and '1), which is formed adjacent one corner of the container. This opening preferably is closed by a hinge plug closure element 24 having a slightly tapered plug or cup shaped section 25.y The hinge closure is secured to the top end I2 by a wire staple 26 which is arranged to hinge the plug closure so that it swings up and back to facilitate both operations of filling and pouring or dispensing of the container contents.

A removable protective cover or shield 21, which is substantially triangular in outline, is formed from fibrous material similar to other 'parts of the container but of lighter gauge stock.

A circular opening 28 (Fig. 4)` is cut in the protective cover 21 and is arranged to align with the lling opening 23 i-n the top end I2 when the cover is positioned upon the container (Figs. 1 and 2) In this position the protective cover is secured along an edge 29 diagonally across the container by a suitable liquid proof adhesive to hermetically seal it to the top end I2.

Angular edges 32, 33 (Fig. 4) have parallel spaced-apart fold lines 34, 315 so that the protective cover may be folded over the top end seam y 22 of the container along the two adjacent side edges. A. finger tab 36 is formed intermediate and at the junction of the two side edges 32, 33 so that it will be disposed at the corner of the container adjacent the dispensing opening. It serves the purpose of later removing the protective cover as will be hereinafter more fully described.

The angular edges 32 and 33 are temporarily but securely sealed over the end seam 22 by a light gauge metal band 31. Such a band is shown bent as at right angles and of U-shape cross-section. The securing of the protective cover 21 to the container being filled i-n the conventional manner. The filled container then is closed and sealed by the plug closure being reinserted into the filling opening. l

In addition, the plug section 25 has its angular depending wall altered and shaped by a suitable expanding tool to form a circumferential bead 38. This bead is pressed outwardly beneath the linner annular edge of the top end I2 to more effectively seal the hinge closure in its closed position. The'paraflin coating or other suitably treated surface of the closure 25ihelps seal the openings 23 and 28 to produce a liquid-tight closure.

'Ihe sealed container, as illustrated in Fig. l, may be opened by removal of the band 31 from the adjoining edges of the container. The finger tab 36 may be lifted to raise the protective cover 21 from its place and this action also lifts the plug closure 24 to expose the pouring opening in the container. This is illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. It is apparent that anyundesirable liquid or foreign matter clinging to the outer surface of the protective cover will be deflected or kept away from the pouring surfaces on the container top. The lifting of the protective cover 21 thus exposes these sterile surfaces of the top surrounding the pouring opening and the contents of the container may be poured through the opening and over such parts without contamination of the contents.

As an alternative form of the invention Figs. 5, 6 and 7 disclose a protective'removable cover or shield 42 which is smaller than the cover 21 (Fig. l) of the preferred form. Cover 42 is arranged to protect only the surface region surrounding the filling and pouring opening` and to maintain it in a sterile condition. This cover is secured to the top end I2 when the hinge cover 24 is assembled by means of the staple 26 in the same manner as heretofore described.

A suitable adhesive may be used to border upon the marginal edges of the cover 42 to secure it to the top end I2 or a Wax coating may be sub-` stituted. Where the container has been paramn coated inside and outside'the application of heat and pressure upon such a cover and top end will 'bond the parts together. A metal band 43 of U- shaped cross section, similar to but shorter than Athe sealing band 31 (Fig. 1), may be positioned upon two adjoining edges of the cover 42 and the end seam 22 of the container to constitute theV scribed. The closing operation of the filled container which follows and the expanding of the plug is carried on in the same or in a similar manner to that already described for the preferred embodiment of the invention.

To open the container as illustrated in Fig. 5. the metal band 43 rst is removed from the front pouring edge of the container after which the' protective cover 42 is lifted, as illustrated in Fig. '7, together with the plug closure 24 to expose the dispensing opening in the container. This also exposes the sanitary protected surface surrounding the pouring opening, over which the container contents may be poured.

Itv is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood fromthe foregoing description, and it `will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacricing all of its material advantages, the 'form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

l. A container for liquids, comprising in combination, a tubular fibre body having, a substantially flat bre top end member secured thereto in a laterally projecting liquid proof end seam joint, said top end member having a filling and dispensing opening, a removable protective cover shield secured to said top end member surroundremovable during opening of the container to expose the normally concealed sterile surface of said top end member to permit pouring of the container contents over such sterile surface.

2. A container for liquids, comprising in combination, a rectangular bre body having a substantially flat top end member' secured thereto in an overhanging 'liquid proof end seam joint, said top end member having a filling and dispensing opening adjacent one corner, a triangular removable protective cover shield disposed over a portion of said top end member adjacent said opening, said cover shield being secured to said end member with adjacent marginal edges thereof extending over and inwardly beneath and removably secured to said overhanging end seam joint to maintain the concealed portion of said top. end ina sterile condition, said cover shield also having a lling and dispensing opening aligned and disposed in registry with said top end member opening and a projecting nger tab at the outer corner thereof, and a plug closure element hingedly secured to said top end member engaging over said protective cover shield to close and sealthe aligned openings in said cover and end member, saidgprotective'cover shield being removable by pulling outwardly said linger tab to openthe container and expose the normally concealed sterile surface of said top endmember to permit pouring of the container contents over such sterile surface.

3. A container for liquids, comprising in combination, a tubular fibre body Vhaving a substantially at fibre top end member secured thereto in' a laterally projecting liquid proof end seam joint.

said top end member having a filling and dispensing opening adjacent one corner, a fibrous removable protective cover shield secured to said top 'end member surrounding said opening, adjacent marginal edges of said shield extending'over and inwardly beneath and removably secured to said laterally projecting end searnjoint, said protective cover shield also having a filling and dispensing opening aligned and disposed in registry with said top end member opening, said cover shield further including a metal band `of sub-r protectivecover shield to close and seal the aligned openings in said cover and end member, said metal band -being removable to free the edges of said protective cover shield to permit the latter to be removed by pulling outwardly thereon to' open the container while hinging outwardly said plug closure element, whereby to expose the normally concealed sterile surface of said top en d member to permit pouring of the container'contents over such sterile surface.

HERBERT F. COX, JR. JOHN FELBER. 

